28 de Noviembre 2005

Microsoft Virtual Earth Update Will Challenge Google Earth

Harris Corporation has announced their 15-meter global dataset has been selected by Microsoft for use with Virtual Earth. Harris Corp is well known in the visual simulation and training market for their databases, and the global dataset is reported to be very beautiful. It includes imagery which has been enhanced for accurate color representation.

If Microsoft is truly going to release 15-meter resolution imagery for the entire Earth, it will be a great improvement for vast portions of their Virtual Earth. Google Earth's global data is reportedly already at 15-m resolution, although it seems some areas are lower than this - the majority is certainly better. Many of the more interesting and more populated areas are down to even inches of resolution in the Google Earth data and they are adding to their coverage on a regular basis. Chances are Google will release more data possibly even before Microsoft releases theirs.

However, Microsoft really needs to create an application like Google Earth that enables their data to be mapped into 3D. Without that Google Earth will continue to be vastly superior for truly visualizing the Earth. Unfortunately, a lot of people still seem to not realize you can pan and tilt your view in Google Earth and see the wonderful 3D landscapes.

Comentarios

I'm curious, why does Microsoft need a 3D application? Until GE incorporates ortho-imagery, the 3D aspect is pretty limited for real world uses (beyond looking for you house you grew up in or what your high school looks like).

James, if you're talking about "real world" uses being GIS use, your're right about GE. However, for visualizing 3D terrain scenery (especially mountainous areas), GE is certainly good for sightseeing and getting a feel for the lay of the land. Using the interactive pan and tilt features of a 3D application also lets you look around in ways you can't do with a 2D application. It enhances the user experience.

I'd still wager that GE complicates the user experience for most people. Yes it allows some users to view data in a different way, but I'd bet you most average GE users don't even bother to tilt the globe.

For not at least, 2 mapping in Google Maps/Virtual Earth is more important than the 3D Google Earth implementation.

I believe GE has world wide coverage of EarthSat NaturalVue Imagery. Which is pan-sharpened LandSat at 15m resolution

Enviado por: Anonymous at 30 de Noviembre 2005 a las 07:18 AM

Cool (blue -- though my favorite color is blue) is not good. GE's earth colors are so hot that you won't get a headache and your eyes do not shake. It is a big difference for our health which is a sign of Keyhole's respectiveness.

Enviado por: tekgergedan at 30 de Noviembre 2005 a las 07:32 AM

The 15 meter dataset released by Harris is based on TerraColor imagery that can be view at www.resmap.com under the Free Imagery Link

Enviado por: Adam Inglis at 2 de Diciembre 2005 a las 04:00 AM

The medium resolution (15-meter) imagery on GE is MDA/Earthsat's NaturalVue product. The 15-meter imagery on Microsoft's Local.Live (ex Virtual Earth) is a version of my TerraColor product that was modified by Harris Corp. Both TerraColor and NaturalVue are "simulated natural color" products built using circa year 2000 pan-sharpened public domain Landsat satellite imagery processed by Earthsat for a NASA contract. Both have roughly equivalent resolution (detail). The main difference is in the "look" (color and brightness/contrast) of the imagery. The user can decide which they like better. See www.terracolor.net for details on the TerraColor product.